Yik Yak adds Handles, makes anonymity optional

Social mobile app Yik Yak, mighty popular on college campuses, has introduced handles, making it possible to post content under a username.

Choosing to post to Yik Yak through a handle is optional following the most recent update to the Android app, although by default posts will be published with a name.

Yik Yak’s makers are hoping that the option to add usernames will give the app and its user base even more personality. Naturally, each handle must remain unique, and it’s a matter of first-come, first served at this stage when it comes to securing your username for yourself.

For those Yik Yak users out there having a tough time deciding on a handle, it’s still possible to view and vote on community yaks in the meantime.

In the group’s latest blog post, Yik Yak’s makers write:

“Handles are just one way to help your herd feel closer and more connected – and really, that’s what Yik Yak is all about. We’ve loved seeing Yakkers make amazing connections and organize great things within your local herds, and we’re excited to see how handles can help make your communities even more tight-knit.”

The Yik Yak for Android app is free to download over on the Play Store, making it easy to have conversations with people that are a part of your personal community.

There’s a live feed of what’s going on around you to explore, along with the option to upvote or downvote content posted by other users.

After three years studying at the University of Winchester, Tom graduated with a journalism degree under his belt. A couple of work placements out in the real world at PC Advisor and the BBC taught him that journalism is pretty fun, and a couple of months later he joined the team at Phonecruncher, then signing up with TalkAndroid. Tom would be the first to admit he spends far too much time worrying about Arsenal FC results and watching strange videos on YouTube.